Between Friday night and Sunday morning, three separate farms near Kettlewell and Starbotton were targeted. While the thieves were disturbed in two instances, a high-value Polaris quad bike was stolen from a locked outbuilding in one raid. North Yorkshire Police believe a professional gang is scouting the area and have urged farmers to use GPS trackers and "smart water" marking on all machinery.
Source: North Yorkshire Police Rural Taskforce
Wharfedale Rural Crime Wave
06 April 2026
Farmers warned to lock up as thieves target Upper Wharfedale.